Credit: Aquarius Aerial Firefighting
On Wednesday 18 March 2026, Aquarius Aerial Firefighting Sàrl, a Luxembourg-based aerial firefighting operator founded in 2023, unveiled its new Simulator and Training Facility.
Drawing on the experience of its parent company Cargolux Airlines International SA, Aquarius said the new infrastructure marks a "significant step" in its ambition to raise aerial firefighting training to airline-level standards. The investment is intended to contribute to building training capabilities both internally and across the wider industry.
The AT-802 Fire Boss simulator, developed by entrol, supports structured, competence‑based pilot training. It allows pilots to train both normal as well as abnormal procedures and replicate critical situations which would pose an unacceptable level of risk if practised in the air.
The device is equipped with technology including motion and vibration cues, formation‑flying capabilities, a glass‑cockpit, head-up display and a selection of detailed terrain areas. Aquarius said its courses combined a range of theoretical and practical training aimed at ensuring the highest standards of pilot competence and confidence.
"With this simulator, we are strengthening our ability to train pilots effectively and consistently while enhancing the overall safety of our operations," said Wieger Ketellapper, CEO of Aquarius Aerial Firefighting Sàrl. "We also offer these capabilities to external operators to support the wider community and help strengthen mission readiness in aerial firefighting for all partners who share our purpose."
Aquarius added that it covers the full range of instructional and examining roles under EU regulations 1178/2011 Part-FCL for class rating, instructor and examiner training, and 965/2012 Part-SPO operational training and checking for aerial firefighting. For external partners, the organisation offers tailored training programmes including ground-, simulator- and flight training.
The simulator is already actively in use and undergoing the certification process for Flight Training Device Level 2 (FTD-2).
